LDWF Holds Ceremony to Honor Fallen Agents

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) held a ceremony on Oct. 1 to honor those Enforcement Division agents who have died in the line of duty. The ceremony took place beside the “Fallen Agents” statue that was erected outside of the LDWF HQ building in Baton Rouge earlier this year.

The statue depicts an LDWF Enforcement Division agent in an honor guard uniform with his head bowed honoring fallen agents. The statue sits on top of a granite pedestal that is engraved with the names of the seven LDWF agents that have been killed in the line of duty.

“This statue will permanently serve as a reminder of those agents who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while enforcing our conservation game and boating laws,” said Col. Jeff Mayne, head of the LDWF Enforcement Division. “This statue also emphasizes how dangerous an agent’s job can be on a day to day basis.”

The Louisiana Wildlife Agents Association (LWAA) purchased and donated the statue to LDWF where it will permanently stand at their headquarters building.

The following are the agents who are engraved on the pedestal and honored by the statue:

Sgt. Paul Stuckey, 47, end of watch (EOW) Sept. 30, 2011. Sgt. Stuckey was an 18 year veteran and is survived by his wife and three children.

Agent Jim Matkin, 30, EOW March 2, 2005. Agent Matkin was a six year veteran and is survived by his parents, two sisters and a step-son.

Capt. John Garlington, 53, EOW Feb. 10, 2000. Capt. Garlington was a 14 year veteran and is survived by his wife and son.

Agent Leon Henderson, 36, EOW March 30, 1996. Agent Henderson was a 15 year veteran and is survived by his wife and daughter.